. >>> we say good-bye to the safest air travel ever, and we say hello to over 400 new laws. "early today" starts right now. >> announcer: this is "early today" for tuesday, january 1st, 2013. >>> good morning, on this first day of january, i'm bill karins. now it's all up to the house today. they're expected to take up a senate measure approved just hours after midnight and it's halting an enormous tax hike for all but the wealthiest of americans from taking effect. nbc's steve handelsman has all the latest details from capitol hill where it's been a very long night. good morning and happy new year to you, steve. >> reporter: bill, thanks. up here on capitol hill, members of both political parties who badly want these middle class taxes rolled back fast, quote, what the senate did this morning makes it easier for house republicans to follow suit. it was a rare bipartisan senate vote. 89-8. two hours after america went off the fiscal cliff. >> happy new year. >> reporter: vice president biden came to the capitol to sell the fix. he worked out with gop leader mitch mcconnell w